Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) Introduces Legislation to Address and Prevent Underage Drinking Through Greater Public Awareness, Health Care Training
Washington,
Feb 12, 2009 -
(February 10, 2009) National Harbor, Maryland – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) spoke to more than 2,000 community anti-drug coalition leaders on Tuesday from throughout the country at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) 19th Annual National Leadership Forum. The event is the largest gathering of community alcohol and drug prevention advocates and substance abuse professionals in the country. During her remarks, the congresswoman spoke about the importance of curbing underage drinking. The congresswoman also highlighted recent legislation (detailed in the accompanying press release) that she introduced called the Support 21 Act of 2009. The measure authorizes a new highly visible media campaign to educate the public about underage drinking laws and build support for their enforcement.
(February 12, 2009) Washington, D.C. – Calling underage drinking “a public health crisis that is threatening the future health and productivity of our children,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-34) joined by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA-45) introduced legislation today to raise awareness about its dangers and the importance of aggressively enforcing age 21 drinking laws.
“The risks of serious alcohol-related problems are reduced by 70 percent when a young person delays drinking alcohol until the age of 21. Knowing that underage drinking is strongly associated with real dangers, I have joined with Congresswoman Bono Mack in introducing the Support 21 Act of 2009. The legislation will help us get the word out that enforcing our nation’s underage drinking laws is crucial to protecting the health and well-being of our young people,” Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “We can no longer afford to address alcohol dependence exclusively as a disease of middle age. Our legislation addresses this critical public health challenge to better ensure a safer and more productive future for our children.”
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack said far too many teenagers engage in risky, even life-threatening behavior, because of the influence of alcohol.
“We need to do everything we can inform our youth about the consequences of alcohol abuse in their adolescent years,” said Congresswoman Bono Mack. “Underage drinking is a serious health problem facing communities throughout our nation. By working together on all levels and generating greater awareness we can promote a healthier environment and brighter future for our children. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Roybal-Allard in this important effort that will tackle underage drinking and save lives."
The Support 21 Act of 2009 (HR 1028) authorizes a new highly visible media campaign to educate the public about underage drinking laws and build support for their enforcement. It asks the National Academy of Sciences to provide a report to Congress about the influence of drinking alcohol on the development of the adolescent brain. The legislation authorizes supplemental grant funds to current and former Drug Free Community grantees to work with pediatric health care providers and parents to reduce underage drinking. Additional grants are also provided to assist pediatric medical organizations in educating providers on best practices for screening their adolescent patients, doing brief interventions, and making appropriate referrals. Finally, the bill will establish a new focus in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on underage drinking surveillance and prevention.
The Support 21 Act of 2009 builds upon earlier national underage drinking legislation authored by Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. The STOP Underage Drinking Act (P.L. 109-422) – which was signed into law in December of 2006 – makes permanent an Ad Council national media campaign directed at parents that started in 2005. The measure coordinates all federal programs and research initiatives on underage drinking, and provides grants to institutions of higher education, states and non-profit organizations to combat underage drinking in communities. The STOP Act also supports crucial research on the health effects of underage drinking and requires the federal government to produce an annual status report on underage drinking in our country.
Congresswomen Roybal-Allard and Bono Mack are introducing the Support 21 Act of 2009 to coincide with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA’s) 19th Annual National Leadership Forum, the nation’s largest gathering of community alcohol and drug prevention advocates and substance abuse professionals.
CADCA’s Chairman and CEO, Arthur T. Dean, applauded their efforts, stating “Community anti-drug coalitions throughout the country are all too familiar with the damaging effects that underage drinking has on youth and families. Increasing the age at which youth take their first drink is critical to staving off future problems associated with the illegal use of alcohol. The Support 21 Act of 2009 will not only help minimize the costs and consequences of underage drinking, but will simultaneously raise awareness about the critical role that prevention plays in these issues.”
In recognition of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s longstanding efforts to eliminate underage drinking, she has been nationally honored by many organizations, including The Century Council, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and Students Against Destructive Decisions.
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